What is Zama Zama mining?

Thousands of “zama zamas” – which means “those who try their luck” in Zulu – operate in the country, according to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). Most are in Johannesburg, South Africa’s commercial capital, which is built on some of the world’s richest gold deposits.

Where do Zama zamas come from?

There are tens of thousands of “zama zamas” in South Africa, where the unemployment rate is over 30%. Those who “try and try again”, in Zulu, share the remains of old wells that have been abandoned because they are no longer profitable, often at the same time as the local workforce, creating pockets of poverty.

Is there illegal mining in the Philippines?

President Rodrigo Duterte has lifted a ban on issuing licenses for new mining operations in the Philippines, marking an about-face from a previous anti-mining stance that saw him ban open-pit mining in 2017 and close or suspend 26 mining operations for environmental violations.

What causes illegal mining in the Philippines?

The total ban of mining rests on the fact that mining activities has a destructive effect on natural resource, like the destruction of the natural habitat of different animal species. The dumping of chemicals in the mining could also pollute the other areas near the mining sites.

Is it illegal to mine zama zamas land?

Here, small-scale mining is expressly illegal. Zama-zamas do not hold any formal mining rights granted by the DMR, they carry out their activities by trespassing on private land and do not pay taxes on their income – and they can be arrested for this.

Where are Zama Zama gold mines in South Africa?

Zama zamas or informal miners operate in former mining site Durban Deep at great risk to their lives owing to lack of safety precautions and criminal, police, and other violence. We use cookies for statistical purposes and to improve our services.

Are there any illegal mines in South Africa?

What was initially an activity focussed in disused portions of operating gold mines, there has been a significant increase in illegal mining in other commodities more recently, including diamonds, chrome and even coal.

Is it dangerous to work in illegal mines?

Illegal mining is dangerous work and the practice is generally associated with lawlessness. It is standard practice for miners to spend months at a time underground, facing a very real possibility of death. The collapsing of mines and poisonous gasses are two of the most common threats.